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The first International Artificial Intelligence and Creativity Conference (IAICC), jointly organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Shenzhen Research Institute (SZRI) and CG Global Entertainment Ltd. (CGGE), was held recently in Shenzhen. Over 1,000 academics and professionals in the fields of artificial intelligence and creative industries gathered to discuss on the theme of “AI Technology Meets Creative Minds”.

The officiating guests included Dr Chen Rong, Director of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Strategy Research Centre; Professor Yam Yeung, Director of the SZRI and Co-Chair of the IAICC; Mr Raymond D. Neoh, Founder of CGGE and Co-Chair of the IAICC; Dr Lin Huangquan, Director of the Office for Greater Bay Area Developments at CUHK; Professor Helen Meng Mei-ling, Patrick Huen Wing Ming Chair Professor of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management at CUHK; Dr Scott Ross, Co-Founder of Digital Domain and former General Manager of Industrial Light and Magic; Mr Francesco Siddi, Chief Operating Officer of Blender; Mr Robert Minkoff, Director of The Lion King, Stuart Little and The Forbidden Kingdom; and Mr Adam Kulick, Sloan Fellow at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

In a pre-recorded video message, CUHK Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Chan Wai-yee emphasised the University’s commitment to fostering collaboration, not only in cutting-edge research but also in close partnerships with industries. He hoped the IAICC conference served as a platform that connected advanced AI and creative technologies directly with industry professionals and fostered local and international partnerships.

Professor Yam said in his welcome remarks: “AI is a transformative force, offering unprecedented opportunities for creativity. The SZRI works on research and projects in AI and other innovative sectors from CUHK, promotes the convergence of academia and industry, and drives technological evolution.”

Mr Neoh said: “AI is a tool that enhances our thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills, promoting more inclusive and collaborative development in the creative industry.”

The two-day conference featured 17 keynote speech sessions, six round-table discussions and 48 training courses. Distinguished experts such as Dr Ross, Professor Meng and Mr Minkoff presented their cutting-edge research on AI, creative technologies and intellectual property (IP) during their keynote speeches, shedding light on the future applications of AI in content creation and industrial innovation.

During the round-table discussions, experts from creative industries shared insights on topics including the real-life opportunities and risks of AI, and its applications in animation, film and television.

In addition, the training courses, delivered by industry professionals, focused on the practical application of technical tools such as Blender 4.2, Stable Diffusion and FLUX.1.

As a key industry-university-research hub for CUHK in the Greater Bay Area, the SZRI plays a vital role in “combining tradition with modernity and bringing together China and the West”. Through international academic exchange, round-table sessions and other initiatives, it gathers leading experts in AI and creativity from around the globe to engage in detailed discussions on the latest trends and the intersection of AI and creativity. This collaborative effort aims to advance the research, development and application of AI technology.